What size bulk heads do I order?

prsnlty · Mar 25, 2014

I have a 180g that I plan to cap the 4 drilled holes in the bottom of the tank. (They are soooo not where I can use them) So I am going to order bulk heads and cap them. The holes are 1 1/2" in diameter. Would they be 1 1/2"? I'm not sure if the bulkheads are listed by ID or OD is why I ask. Also, is there a special way to cap them off?

skinz78 · Mar 25, 2014

I'd order 1.25" bulkheads and see what they look like. If they don't work they are generally pretty cheap and always good to have laying around just in case you or someone you know needs to drill a tank.

TJ's Reef · Mar 25, 2014

Bulk Reef Supply and other suppliers generally have listed exact hole sizes needed for each Bulkhead fitting.

Cheers, Todd

TJ's Reef · Mar 25, 2014

You might also want to just cap the holes with a piece of glass cut to fit and then siliconed in place. This is the rout I'd go if not intending to use the holes where located, no chance of developing an unwanted leak down the road.

Cheers, Todd

Reefing Madness · Mar 25, 2014

Bulkhead Fittings, tank adapters.
Answer is in the initial sentence of the link.

prsnlty · Mar 26, 2014

Thanks guys! I really hate the idea of closing them up but I may have to unless I can come up with something...

prsnlty · Mar 27, 2014

1.25" was a 1/4" too big. Aqua cave, brs and the link above all insisted on 3/4". So I ordered 3/4" but I have a gut feeling 1" would've fit. Unless there is a good reason they want you to have a 1/4" gap between the bulkhead and the glass. I am really not liking the idea of using 3/4 because that cuts the ID to 1/2"

So, if the 3/4" bulkheads leave 1/4" gap I'm going to order 1". I'm going to have a lot of bulkheads laying around!

Jackie

AZDesertRat · Mar 28, 2014

1.5" holes are for 3/4" bulkheads and 1.75" holes are for 1" bulkheads. There should be very little movement if any with the 3/4" installed.
glass cutting holesaws

https://www.reef2reef.com/forums/eq...iltration/34973-installing-bulkhead-tips.html

prsnlty · Mar 28, 2014

AZDesertRat said:
1.5" holes are for 3/4" bulkheads and 1.75" holes are for 1" bulkheads. There should be very little movement if any with the 3/4" installed.
glass cutting holesaws

https://www.reef2reef.com/forums/eq...iltration/34973-installing-bulkhead-tips.html

Thank you Az

Can I make the original holes larger or should I cap them and make new ones? Will so many holes in the bottom glass make the glass weak?

I'm concerned about cutting this glass due to not getting a straight answer from Aqeon if this All-Glass Aquarium has a tempered bottom or not. Apparently, they sometimes drill then temper them. Is there any way to tell? I would really rather have 2 - 1" or 1 1/4" holes at one end of the tank for the drains with a coast to coast overflow on this 180g.

Jackie
125g mixed reef peninsula